It has been a very positive first day in Moscow for Ireland with their second win in three pool games putting them on the cusp of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals.

They await the result of the final Pool B game between unbeaten Australia and third-placed South Africa, before they can be confirmed as top eight finishers.

Head coach Jon Skurr fielded an unchanged team from the 22-5 defeat to Australia and his side, making their first appearance at the old Olympic Stadium, went ahead after just 90 seconds.

Skipper Claire Molloy burst straight through the middle, taking a flat pass from Jeannette Feighery to race away from inside the Irish half and score the opening try which Jenny Murphy converted.

Despite Ireland establishing an early lead, the supremely fit Chinese dictated possession and Ma Guoping's excellent offload out of a tackle put Gong Guye over for an unconverted score.

Step forward Alison Miller, one of the stars of Ireland's Grand Slam run from earlier in the year. The Portlaoise winger posed a huge threat on the right and it was her break that allowed Shannon Houston to carry strongly through midfield.

China held out on that occasion but Miller soon left two defenders in her wake, showing her undoubted power and pace to raid in from the right and behind the posts. Murphy's conversion gave Ireland a 14-5 half-time lead.

They might have been further in front at the turnaround, but Molloy was brought to ground before she could combine with the supporting Murphy in the dying seconds.

China closed the gap with a second unconverted try early in the second period. Referee Marlize Jordaan allowed play to continue despite questions of a forward pass and Guoping profited as she stepped inside Molloy's tackle to score in the right corner.

However, Ireland reasserted themselves over the closing five minutes to run in two more converted tries with substitutes Nikki Caughey and Amy Davis both making an impact.

Miller powered through from her own half again, collecting Cantwell's brilliantly timed pass, breaking Tong Xueqin's tackle and showing a clean pair of heels to the retreating Chen Ming as she completed her brace behind the posts.

Cantwell, whose experience and guile has been hugely important for Ireland in their Sevens journey, fittingly rounded off the scoring with a deserved try before the final hooter.

The tireless Molloy came in on an angle to provide the incision and she passed to the right for Cantwell to claim her second try of the tournament. Murphy clipped over the final conversion to seal an 18-point triumph for the girls in green.

Commenting on how day one went for the Irish squad, Claire Molloy said: "We were happy with the two wins. We started well against South Africa despite going down to an early try. Australia were just fantastic. We didn't have enough space and they got ground and got behind us.

"It was great to get the win against China in the main stadium and we're delighted to finish off with a win. It would be amazing to be in the top eight - it is what we are aiming for and what we're here for. We want to be playing in the top competitions."

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Looking forward to facing England on Sunday, Ireland winger Tommy Bowe said: "We've trained very well this week, we're really excited about the game. It's about going out there and doing whatever we can to get ourselves that win."

Second row Devin Toner previews Ireland's crunch RBS 6 Nations clash with England, saying: "It's a pretty formidable English pack. Attwood and Kruis have played fantastically well. They're well drilled and focused and their scrum and lineout are very good."

Looking forward to facing England this weekend, Ireland back rower Sean O'Brien said: "It's obviously exciting, but it's one game at a time. I don't think there's any more pressure on us than in the first two games. That's the way you have to look at it."

Irish Rugby TV sat down with Ireland Under-20 scrum coach John Fogarty to talk about the U-20 Six Nations so far and Friday's clash with England at Donnybrook. Tickets are on sale on www.ticketmaster.ie.

Shane Byrne and Malcolm O'Kelly preview the Ireland v England Legends match which takes place at Donnybrook this coming Saturday (kick-off 7.30pm). Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie. All proceeds from the game will go to support the IRFU Charitable Trust and the RFU All Schools Charity.

Watch highlights from the Ireland team announcement press conference as Joe Schmidt reveals the team to play France. Peter O'Mahony says it is good to 'have some big figures back' for Saturday's clash.